- Tether seeks $15–20 billion in funding at a $500 billion valuation, in talks with SoftBank and Ark
- A $500 billion valuation could make Tether one of the largest private companies in the world
- Backing from SoftBank and Ark could bolster Tether’s push for mainstream legitimacy
Tether Holdings SA, issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, is holding preliminary talks with major investors, including SoftBank Group Corp. and Ark Investment Management LLC, about a multi-billion-dollar fundraising round that could rank the company among the highest-valued private firms globally.
The funding effort could imply a valuation for Tether of up to $500 billion.
The company is seeking between $15 billion and $20 billion in exchange for roughly a 3% stake through a private placement.
Possible $500 Billion Valuation
If completed, the deal would represent Tether’s largest attempt to attract external capital and could place the company alongside the world’s top private firms by valuation.
At a $500 billion valuation, Tether would surpass many established global blue-chip companies, reflecting both the scale of its token supply and the financial returns generated by its reserve investments.
Tether’s USDT, a dollar-pegged stablecoin, is widely used to move value within the crypto markets and beyond, providing investors a mechanism to transact outside traditional banking rails.
Backed by cash-like assets—largely U.S. government bonds—the company earns significant income from interest on those reserves.
Chief Technology Officer Paolo Ardoino leads the company operationally, while co-founder Giancarlo Devasini serves as chairman and remains the largest shareholder.
Bloomberg estimates that a $500 billion valuation would make Devasini’s private stake worth nearly $224 billion.
Strategic Support from SoftBank and Ark
Tokyo-based SoftBank, led by founder Masayoshi Son, has a long record of investing in ambitious technology bets, from autonomous vehicles to semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
An investment in Tether would align with SoftBank’s strategy of pursuing disruptive opportunities, similar to its planned $30 billion backing of OpenAI.
Cathie Wood’s Ark Investment Management has also shown strong interest in digital assets.
Ark previously invested in Circle Internet Group Inc., a close competitor to Tether in the stablecoin space.
Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) currently has a market capitalization of around $74 billion, compared with roughly $173.5 billion in tokens issued by Tether.
Potential participation by SoftBank and Ark could help Tether broaden its reach into mainstream finance and strengthen its political and regulatory standing—especially in the United States, where the company has previously faced scrutiny over its role in facilitating illicit transactions.
Advisory Roles and Industry Implications
Cantor Fitzgerald LP, a New York-based investment bank led by Howard Lutnick, is advising on the deal and has long provided custodial and other financial services to Tether, underscoring its operational importance.
The fundraising unfolds as stablecoins draw increasing attention from investors, regulators, and governments worldwide.
With U.S. authorities preparing tighter oversight of digital assets, securing reputable financial backers could prove important to Tether’s positioning in the global marketplace.
A valuation of this scale would be a major milestone not only for Tether but for the broader digital-asset ecosystem, signaling ongoing integration of crypto-native instruments into mainstream finance.